site.btaBulgarian Head of State Meets Vietnam's PM, Mongolian President

Bulgarian Head of State Meets Vietnam's PM, Mongolian President

Ulaanbaatar, July 14 (BTA) - Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev held bilateral meetings with Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Mongolian counterpart Tsahiagiin Elbegdorj. The meetings took place in the Mongolian capital where Plevneliev is visiting for the 11th summit of heads of State and government of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) on July 16 and 17.

Bulgaria and Vietnam plan to encourage mutual investment and trade

Bulgaria and Vietnam are determined to capitalize on the potential of intensive political dialogue at all levels for the further advancement of bilateral relations. This position was expressed by President Plevneliev and Prime Minister Phuc and was made public by Plevneliev's press secretariat.

The two leader also agreed that Bulgaria can use Vietnam as a stepping stone to the markets of the countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations while Bulgaria acts as a doorway to the EU for Vietnamese businesses.

Plevneliev said that the two countries are determined to add meaning to a joint declaration and an annex for the establishment of a new model of economic cooperation between Bulgaria and Vietnam. The documents were adopted during a state visit to Vietnam by the Bulgarian President in October 2013.

Plevneliev said that Bulgaria will work towards a fast signing of the EU-Vietnam free trade agreement and will be one of the first countries to ratify it.

The two sides agreed that the high economic growth and improved business environment in Vietnam create favourable conditions for increasing Bulgarian investment there. Bulgarian companies are interested in investing in the production of foods and tobacco products, in the pharmaceutical, chemical and textile industries, in the extracting sector, the design and delivery of irrigation systems and in infrastructure construction.

Rosen Plevneliev and Nguyen Xuan Phuc gave a high mark to the bilateral cooperation in security and defence. Police officers and cadets from Vietnam receive training in Bulgaria due to a bilateral agreement in this area.

The two sides agreed that good cooperation in education and research can be further enhanced by strengthening contacts between univerisities and increasing the academic exchange.

During the meeting President Plevneliev expressed concern over the pensions in the South China Sea and said all sides must show restraint, respect the rule of law to ensure the safety of navigation and seek a solution by peaceful means and in keeping with international law.

Bulgaria to continue working for stepping up cooperation between EU and Mongolia

Meeting with Mongolian counterpart Tsahiagiin Elbegdorj, Plevneliev said that his country will continue to work for stepping up the cooperation between Mongolia and the EU.

He also said that expanding and diversifying Bulgarian export to Mongolia, and increasing investment exchange is a priority for his country.

Plevneliev singled out projects in the water sector and the prospecting, extraction and processing of mineral resources as offering ample opportunities for strong cooperation between the two countries.

The two Presidents also discussed the exchange in education and research. Over 500 students from Mongolia have studied in Bulgarian universities and more than 3,000 specialized in Bulgaria. A programme on cooperation in education, culture and research in 2017-2020 is due to be signed shortly.

While in Ulaanbaatar, Plevneliev is also scheduled to confer with Park Geun-Hye, President of the Republic of Korea, and Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China.